Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak in New York on Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the UN meetings to discuss bilateral ties and other issues of common interests.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in New York Sept. 23, 2009. [Liu Jiansheng/Xinhua]

Hu said thanks to their joint efforts the two countries have seen steady progress of exchanges and cooperation in various fields in recent years.

All consensus reached between them have been implemented smoothly, with some already bringing about remarkable results, Hu said.

Hu noted that the two countries have maintained fine communication and coordination in regional and international affairs, adding that China is ready to join hands with South Korea to strengthen strategic communication and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to bring concrete benefits to both peoples and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of launching of a trilateral cooperative scheme among China, South Korea and Japan, Hu said.

Over the past decade, the three countries have established a future-oriented, all-dimensional cooperative partnership that has led to the promotion of development and stability in their countries and the region at large, said the Chinese president.

During the meeting, Hu announced that leaders from China, South Korea and Japan will hold their second meeting in Beijing on Oct. 10, 2009.

China is ready to work with South Korea and Japan to push for the success of the October tripartite summit and bring trilateral cooperation to a higher level, Hu said.

As situation in Northeast Asia shows signs of thawing, Hu called on all concerned parties to seize the opportunity to further improve the regional situation and bring the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue back on the track of dialogues and negotiations.

China is willing to work with South Korea to play a constructive role in realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace and stability in the peninsula and Northeast Asia, the Chinese president said.

During the meeting, Hu also called for strengthened cooperation between the two countries to boost the common development of their economies.

Lee congratulated China on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

He said he fully agreed with President Hu's view on bilateral ties and expressed his willingness to bring the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries to a higher level.

Lee said the stabilization and rally of the Chinese economy play a significant role in promoting trade and economic cooperation between China and South Korea, as well as in world economic recovery.

Hu's speech at the UN climate change summit on Tuesday showed clearly China's active stance on climate change and won applause from countries around the world, Lee said.

South Korea is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on regional and global issues, he said.

He also spoke highly of China's important role in the six-party talks on nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula and pledged South Korea's efforts to keep contact and cooperation with China in this regard.

Lee said, along with the rising status and influence of Asia on the world stage, South Korea, China and Japan should have even closer cooperation.

Thanks to their joint efforts, China and South Korea have seen a rapid growth of bilateral links since they established diplomatic relations 17 years ago.

The heads of state of the two countries exchanged visits last year. They agreed on establishing a strategic partnership of cooperation in May 2008, opening up a new era in bilateral ties. They met again on the sidelines of the financial summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in London in April this year.

China and South Korea are both important neighbors and cooperative partners. Now China is the top trade partner, export market and source of imports of South Korea.

Hu is in New York for the UN climate change summit, the general debate of the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly and a Security Council summit on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

After the UN meetings, President Hu will fly to Pittsburgh to attend the G20 financial summit.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2009)